January 2017 was composed mostly of rainy days in Penang.

Fat and gloomy clouds heavily pregnant with drops of water and lightning conveniently crossed the skies in Butterworth after I took my tea, which is the time I usually lace up my shoes to run.

Fresh from a month’s break of staying off my feet, I was chomping at the bits to do some running, but alas, the weather did not cooperate with my plans. I am afraid of thunderstorms. I have clocked many personal bests by running away from lightning and roiling black clouds.

Giving the skies the benefit of the doubt, I skipped a day of running by staying at home and doing nothing. I was fortunate to have a stationary bicycle at home, loaned generously by my mother. So when it rained again on Day Two, I spent my evening spinning away while watching the television.

Day Three was no different from Day Two. By then, I was already itching to run. I spent another day cycling at home.

I was dismayed when Day Four arrived, as the heavens have not stopped pouring. I resigned myself to the fact that I would have to take the day off, and probably the next few days too.

Imagine my surprise when the rain reduced to a slight drizzle late in the evening. I had a minor debate in my head. Should I take the risk and run, or should I stay at home and wait for the weather to dry out?

The runner won the argument. I leapt into my running shoes and quickly made a dash outside should the weather decide to change her mind.

The weather was chilly that evening. I ran easy along the Butterworth Outer Ring Road, and tried my best to stay out of the mud and water pools. It was an obstacle course. My shoes were ruined.

They were an old pair anyway, I tried to convince myself.

The sky was overcast with grey clouds that stretched all the way to Penang Island and beyond. There were no vehicles on the highway. There were no sightseers along the beach. There was no one else along the entire stretch.

I felt alone in all that gloom.

Who would be crazy enough to pull a stunt like this, I thought to myself.

Suddenly, in the far distance, I saw a figure bouncing along the road.

I squinted, and sure enough, it was a runner.

Feeling a sudden sense of camaraderie, I waved as we passed each other. He waved back and gave a big smile.

A heavy drizzle began just a short while later. I waved to another two runners as I ran back home in the rain.

Who would be crazy enough to pull a stunt like this anyway, but a runner?

I smiled to myself.

IT’S LIKE A SPARK that ignites a fire. When the gun goes, the clock starts and the runners leap forward, eager to shave seconds off their personal bests. It begins and there is no turning back. As the athletes inch closer to the finish line, these are 4 things, in my view that goes through the mind of an athlete that affects his/her performance.

1. I will take on all of them!

Just like an epic scene out Troy or 300 where the protagonist, despite facing unfavourable circumstances, chooses to go into battle with sheer determination and a courageous heart. All runners know in their mind that the run ahead is going to be an uphill battle but still makes a conscious choice to take on the seemingly difficult task to get that coveted personal best or finisher medal. The training and dieting that the athlete has gone through in preparation for the race gives the athlete the assurance that the race will go well. “Nothing is gonna stop me now!” is what athletes tell themselves as they set their pace, regulate their breathing and hope for the best.

2. The inner demons

There comes a moment, when the body just feels like shutting down and the mind just tells you that there is no point carrying on. The test of mental toughness is when an athlete is able to silence the “demonic” voices in their head that gives them all kinds of excuses to stop them from completing the race and achieving their goal. Such examples include “I’m not fit enough” ,”Why continue? It’s not like there’s a million bucks to be won right?” ,”I’m still gonna be a fatty at the end of this run” and “There’s always another opportunity to get a personal best and/or bag a shiny new finisher medal. So why stress myself now?” This is where the runner reflects on why they began running in the first place and what were their motivations for embarking on this journey. For some, it could be to achieve better health or to loose weight. For others, it could be to build their confidence and self-esteem. Whatever the motivation is, a runner will have to wrestle with the “demons” and sort out the conflicts within themselves during the run. A great struggle but the sense of satisfaction and accomplishment at the end is definitely worth it because you know that you have conquered your greatest enemy. That is, yourself!

3. What’s cooking?

Images of delicious food race through the mind of an athlete as he/she decides what to eat after the run. In a way, it might be the body’s way of diverting the mind away from the fatigue and muscle aches. It acts as a motivation for an athlete who has been craving for their favourite dish. Such thoughts re-assure the runner that there is a prize at the finish line and its not just a personal best or a finisher medal. The body pushes on as it knows that there is some sort of a “reward” at the end of the race.

4. The inevitable end

Amidst all the pain and fatigue, an athlete knows that the race must come to an end. Pain is temporary so there’s no point giving up or loosing hope when the end is just around the corner. As an athlete squeezes out every ounce of energy left in his/her body, an athlete visualises crossing the finish line and finishing the race from a point of strength. Visualisation is important as knowing that there is an inevitable end to the race not only motivates a runner but also encourages the athlete to pick up the pace in the last 1 or 2 kilometres of the run.

These are just 4 of the many things that go through the mind of a runner during a race. In my view, the mind has the most significant impact on an athletes performance. Training and dieting are also important but proper results and improvements in fitness, well-being and health can be only be achieved if a person has the right mentality and attitude towards achieving their goals and improving themselves as a person.